How To Find A Music Teacher

How To Hire A Musician

Live Musicians can create an ambiance that will transform your event. But you need to know how to avoid mistakes when making a booking! Classical Music UK provides some top tips...

how to find a music teacher

Live Musicians can create an ambiance like nothing else. But you need to know how to avoid mistakes when making a booking!

Finding a solo musician or ensemble to hire for your special event can be a bit overwhelming. Most everyone has heard horror stories of entertainment gone awry at someone’s perfectly planned party. That possibility, coupled with the endless confusion of musical jargon and widely varying fees, can be enough to unsettle even the most organized of planners. That’s why we’ve compiled one of the most comprehensive and detailed musician directories available as your complete resource for finding musicians for hire within the UK. Before you start your search, however, here are some valuable tips to help you navigate through the often-perplexing process of hiring a professional musician. Sometimes asking the right questions is half the battle.

Ask Around

Musicians, like many other professionals, rely on reputation and networking as a primary method of reaching potential clients. That being said, it is usually the best idea to begin your search by asking around for referrals. Remember that wedding you went to last year with the breathtaking music? Ask the bride who she hired. This is the easiest way to locate professional musicians who will deliver the quality of musical performance you want.

Ask Early

The best ensembles and soloists are usually busy, especially during certain times and seasons (for example, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and weekends during the summer months). The best way to avoid running into trouble with your top choices being already booked is to book them far in advance of your actual event. You’ll also find that it is easier to negotiate prices if you schedule musicians in advance, as you tend to lose the upper hand in bargaining if you’re desperately trying to find someone at the last minute.

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Ask the Right Questions

Asking the right questions can save you from a lot of hassle when your actual event takes place. The last thing you want (especially if it’s your wedding and your nerves are frazzled to begin with) is to worry with details on the actual day of your event. Below is a list of questions to ask when interviewing musicians regarding their services:

Are you available on this date?
What are your rates?
Are your rates all-inclusive, or are there possible additional costs (for example, overtime, travel expenses, meals for band/ensemble members, etc.)?
How many musicians (if you’re hiring a band or ensemble) will be at my event, what instruments will they be playing and what are their credentials?
Who are some of your references?
Do you have a song list available and/or do you take special requests?

Ask for a Written Contract

Even the most certain plans can go awry if communication is not clarified between the two parties. The best way to do this is to create a formal or informal written contract with the musicians you hire, outlining the terms of the arrangement, including rates, payment expectations, time-frames, musicians involved and expectations (both yours and theirs). Many professional musicians will have a basic contract ready for such purposes. If you don’t feel as if you need to worry with such formalities, sometimes a simple email or phone call will suffice to make sure you are on the same page regarding expectations for the event.

Did We Leave Anything Out?

For many who are planning an event or party, there is always that stressful feeling that something has been forgotten, or that some small detail has been overlooked. Here are some often unforeseen issues that you’ll want to keep in mind regarding the day or evening of the actual event:

If there is a piano on premises and you’ve hired a pianist, be sure that the piano has been properly tuned. Often, pianos that sit in certain climate conditions (for example, a drafty lobby or a banquet hall that is not consistently heated) or pianos that are infrequently played will lose their tune. The result could be a pianist who plays out of tune with the accompanying musicians—a situation that is not easily remedied at the last minute.
Be specific regarding dress code. Most musicians will ask this on the front end, but if not, you’ll want to be sure to let them know if you prefer them to be dressed in tuxes or jeans, or something in between.
If the event is to be held outdoors, don’t expect the musicians to set up their instruments in an area that is not covered (or could be immediately covered in case of inclement weather). Instruments are expensive, and not only a musician’s livelihood, but also something to which he or she has become quite attached. They would not want to be caught in the rain and risk damage to their instruments, and will undoubtedly appreciate your consideration of this fact.
Do keep in mind th at musicians will require short breaks to refresh and regroup, especially over the span of an extended gig. If you intend to draw out a schedule for them, be sure to include breaks in it.

Finally, keep in mind that performing music is an art, and the mind-set of the artist will greatly affect his or her playing. That being said, if your musicians are happy, then most likely your guests will be happy with their music. If you are considerate and able to clearly communicate your expectations, you’ll find that many typical conflicts can be avoided. Although finding the right musician can be daunting, keep in mind that the ambiance provided by live music is unique—and sometimes vital—to the success of many gatherings. With the information provided in our directory, you’re well on your way to hearing beautiful music that will be the perfect complement to your special occasion.